Iranians vs Americans
For a week now Iranians have been very upset because their votes did not count in their election of a President. As a result Iranians have been conducting almost non-stop massive protests, accepting perhaps dozens of deaths for over zealous police/militias. The Supreme Ruler of Iran demanded they stop and go home, or face increasingly severe consequences. The protests went on. All of this, when it is very possible that a majority of Iranians actually did vote for the declared winner there.
For about 2 months now Americans have been making it clear to their elected representatives that they want, at the very minimum, a new health care system that includes a government run insurance program competing with private insurance companies. The most recent polling shows 72% of Americans want this, and even Republicans favor it with 50% approval. The US Senate says shut up, go home, and allow them to pay back their insurance/pharmaceutical/AMA backers with a health care plan that primarily features a requirement that all Americans must buy insurance from the private insurance companies, no matter what it costs.
As a result, Americans en mass are .... watching TV.
We are a nation of sheep, a nation that to get what we want, even with 72% of us agreeing on what we want, there is nothing we will do. Some of us will "do our part" by painlessly, and without having to spend any time, sign an on-line petition. But, demonstrate? Do mass protest marches? Conduct civil disobedience drills? Sorry, there is this great "Reality TV" show I don't want to miss tonight.
Does anyone know how to wake us up and force us to accept responsibility for getting what we want?
For about 2 months now Americans have been making it clear to their elected representatives that they want, at the very minimum, a new health care system that includes a government run insurance program competing with private insurance companies. The most recent polling shows 72% of Americans want this, and even Republicans favor it with 50% approval. The US Senate says shut up, go home, and allow them to pay back their insurance/pharmaceutical/AMA backers with a health care plan that primarily features a requirement that all Americans must buy insurance from the private insurance companies, no matter what it costs.
As a result, Americans en mass are .... watching TV.
We are a nation of sheep, a nation that to get what we want, even with 72% of us agreeing on what we want, there is nothing we will do. Some of us will "do our part" by painlessly, and without having to spend any time, sign an on-line petition. But, demonstrate? Do mass protest marches? Conduct civil disobedience drills? Sorry, there is this great "Reality TV" show I don't want to miss tonight.
Does anyone know how to wake us up and force us to accept responsibility for getting what we want?
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If the President would attempt to call Americans out of their tv induced stupor I do believe they would react. But he is Mr. Nice Guy so he doesn't point the finger at the obvious culprits and he doesn't condemn by name any of the people sabotaging health care reform on behalf of the insurance and drug parasites. But I honestly believe if he would simply lead and if he would use his massive popularity to get people angry about what is going on that they would, in fact, take action. I'm not gonna hold my breath for this, but it's just one idea.
In lieu of the President exhorting and leading on the issue there's this which I cut from the 1payer.net website:
WASHINGTON D.C.
Thursday, June 25, 2009
10:00 a.m.
Gather at the Washington Monument
on the National Mall
BE THERE
The Great American Sickout
National Rally for HealthCare For All Now
CONGRESS IS ACTING. THEY HAVEN'T BEEN LISTENING TO US
They need to hear a LOUD voice NOW.
1 MILLION People Shouting:
Real Health Care Reform Is Health Care for All.
Not Some. Not Most. All.
Tell Congress in person.
JOIN TOGETHER
JUNE 25, 2009
WASHINGTON
We want Health Care for All
Now. Not tomorrow. Not next year. Now.
If you can't come to Washington, you can still make a difference on June 25.
IT'S THE GREAT AMERICAN SICKOUT.
TAKE THE DAY OFF FROM WORK.
Call the White House and all your Representatives and Senators.
Tell them on the phone if you can't tell them in person.
For information or to contact your Congressperson, go to www.1payer.net
or call 800-578-4171
June 22, 2009 4:06 PM | Reply | Permalink
Oleeb, I thought before you said it was Tuesday, the 23rd. Just checking.
June 22, 2009 4:18 PM | Reply | Permalink
Never mind, I just checked your original posting; my mistake -- I shall be there, now that I know that it's Thursday!
June 22, 2009 4:20 PM | Reply | Permalink
You woulda been kinda lonely if you were there tomorrow. :)
June 22, 2009 4:38 PM | Reply | Permalink
I think there would be more vocal public support/street demonstrations in support of a public option if the government cut down some of the US protesters on the street, as the Khameini regime did in Iran, not that I would wish for such a thing. That was a lesson seemingly well learned by the US oligarchy following the Kent State massacre as public support for our involvement in Vietnam eroded rapidly in the aftermath. Nonetheless, you make a good point. I couldn't make it to Washington for Thursday's healthcare demonstration. I am hopeful that we will make a good showing despite the fact that organizers planned it for a workday.
June 22, 2009 4:55 PM | Reply | Permalink
I would be off to Washington DC on Wednesday, but one of my favorite TV reality shows is on that night. Sorry, could it be rescheduled?
June 22, 2009 7:43 PM | Reply | Permalink